The Lagos Police have unveiled an illicit arms manufacturing facility located in the Idata Community within the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos. Two blacksmiths, Musiliu Gbenga, aged 21, and Owolabi Azeez, aged 22, were apprehended in connection with the operation.
The suspects were paraded alongside 30 other individuals who were involved in various criminal activities, including cultism, theft, and the unlawful possession of firearms. It is alleged that the manufactured arms were being sold to criminal elements.
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrests during a press conference held at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos. He explained that these arrests were made over the course of one month.
Explaining how the factory where firearms were fabricated was uncovered, he said, “based on actionable intelligence on a blacksmith who fabricated firearms for onward sale to criminals around Idata Village in Ibeju-Lekki, operatives of the Command busted the factory and arrested two suspects.
“Three single-barrel locally-made pistols, one double-barrel locally-made gun, one single-barrel locally-made gun, two single-barrel locally-made long gun, 10 expended cartridges, twelve long pipes, two drilling machines, one gas cylinder, one vehicle and other fabricated tools were among the items recovered from the factory.”
One of the suspects, according to him, was a wanted notorious cultist popularly known as Skipo , who was arrested at about 11.45pm , on October 11,2023, over his alleged involvement in the killing of a rival cultist, in a hideout in Yaba area of Lagos State.
He said “Ganiu Yusuf aka Skipo aged 23, was arrested in possession of two 9mm ammunition. Further investigation led to the arrest of Ikuologbon Tobi aka Iku aged 23; Salaudeen Azeez, aged 27; Sanni Jamiu aka J-boy, aged 26; Ganiu Muideen aka Stone, aged 23; Odinaka Ojiakor, aged 26 and Farouk Muibi aka Ozil aged 22, in different areas of the state, in possession of two locally made single barrel guns, one double barrel shotgun, three live cartridges, one dagger and different charms. Investigation revealed that they are all cult members.”
The next day, October 13, 2023, five suspected cultists were arrested after receiving complaints that some groups of boys were shooting sporadically around Church Avenue, Ikosi, according to him.
Among the paraded suspects, “were four traders that were arrested in Alaba Market. They are: Emmanuel Chukwuma, aged 19; Chima Alajemba aged 19; Ogbenna Franklin aged 42 and Chidi Nnaji aged 42.
They were apprehended based on receipt of complaints from a reputable electricity cable manufacturer, on the adulteration and sales of pirated cables, using their company’s trademark.
“In addition, operatives of the command arrested one Ogbonna Eze, 27, who disguised himself as a dispatched rider to vandalise vehicles by removing brain boxes and other parts. The suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation”, he said.
He therefore advised Laqgosians having illegal possession of firearms to submit them, assuring that they won’t be arrested. This, he noted, was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to all commands to mop up arms and ammunition in the hands of non-state actors within their respective jurisdictions.